Putting the focus on the Forgotten World Highway

The
Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will invest up to $400,000 to
determine the value of State Highway 43 to Taranaki’s
economy, particularly in the tourism sector, Regional
Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says.

The
investment into SH43 - better known as the Forgotten World
Highway - will occur ahead of a possible multi-million
dollar upgrade to the road.

“Connecting Stratford with
Taumarunui for about 149km, SH43 is an increasingly popular
road trip for visitors,” Shane Jones said.

“It is
also an important freight route for beef, lamb and dairy
products, a burgeoning local Mānuka honey industry and a
number of radiata pine forests, which are due to be
harvested in coming years.

“A 12km section of the
highway through the Tangarakau Gorge remains unsealed.
Sealing this area would boost its value as a link between
Taranaki and the central North Island, and could play a role
in bringing more visitors to the region.

“With
funding committed to upgrading the Taranaki Crossing, an
improved SH43 would provide a direct link between that walk
and the Tongariro Crossing, and make it easier for more
visitors to access a relatively remote part of New
Zealand.

“SH43 takes you through some wild and
beautiful parts of Taranaki, but it’s not an easy drive,
especially for overseas motorists who aren’t used to
driving on unsealed roads.

“This preliminary work
will identify the likely economic benefits of an improved
SH43, and the costs, and assess how upgrading it can ensure
SH43 preserves its character as one of New Zealand’s most
unique state highways,” Shane Jones said.

While
earlier studies have investigated sealing the final 12km,
this work will also look into improving resilience and
safety on SH43, as well as improving signage, road markings
and looking at speed management along the
route.

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